One of a Kind 4x4 Trail Rig Rock Crawler Custom Built for Marine Snipers Fund

Marine Corps S.O.S. (Show of Support) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our military troops. Minnesota resident, and father of 4, Frank Ranallo began the Marine Corps S.O.S. after seeing the need first hand. "In fall of 2003, my son Nicholas had completed his training in boot camp," said Ranallo. "I went to the MPLS Airport to pick him up. Nicholas had been waiting at the airport for a while, and like other soldiers, was very hungry. I took my son and two nearby Navy guys for a Big Mac, Fries and a Coke." Ranallo found that these courageous men and women without money when released from boot camp. He moved forward to eventually create the Marine Corps S.O.S. organization in 2005.

Marine Corps SOS Custom Rock Crawler

For the first two years of this organization, Frank Ranallo would go to the MPLS Airport every third Friday of the month and pass out $10 bills to the troops. "I wanted to make sure they had something to eat," he said. "Occasionally, I would see a soldier who needed a ride home and would get a taxi for them."

Ranallo, a home builder by trade, wanted to do even more. He used his home building skills to help provide protective gear to soldiers. "I gathered donations from several local companies and built a two-story home on an empty lot," Ranallo said. "I sold the home and used the profits to purchase ballistic vests and helmets for our Marine snipers." The Marines provided Ranallo with the proper model numbers and sizes for the purchase.

While Ranallo gathered donations for his project, he noticed some Toys for Tots donations that had not been delivered to the drop-off location. He discovered that the Toys for Tots Foundation relied on participating business to deliver them themselves. Ranallo took it upon himself to gather up the Toys for Tots donations and deliver them to local drop-off locations.

Frank Ranallo has taken on a variety of special projects that show his support for our troops. He built a couple custom motorcycles that were sold. The profits were donated to the Marines.

The latest completed project for Ranallo is his custom built four-seater 4x4 rock crawler / off road trail rig. It took one year to complete this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Over $46,233 and 2400 hours of labor has been put into this crawler. Ranallo's rock crawler is equipped with 2 custom billet 5" oval K&N air filters. "I have used K&N filters my whole life," he said. "They are good quality products. I used K&N on the rock crawler because I only wanted to use top-notch materials." Ranallo also has a Hyundai Tiburon at home that uses K&N air filters.

Donations were not enough to built Ranallo's rock crawler. Ranallo had to add $12,000 of his own money to complete the project. The rock crawler has been for sale on Ebay for months, but the minimum reserve has not been met. "During these difficult economic times, people are just not buying," said Ranallo. "I will not give up. These brave Marines need our support and I am here to help them as I can."

Ranallo has a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe that is half-built and plans to build a 1969 Ford Big Block with K&N products. The Marine Corps S.O.S. and Frank Ranallo continue to bring support to our Marines in many unique ways.

For more information about the rock crawler or the Marine Corps SOS, contact Frank Ranallo at m4colt2004@yahoo.com.

The full list of Marine Corps SOS Rock Crawler modifications are as follows:

-Frame is Built with 2" & 1 3/4" 120 wall Dom Tubing
-All Alum. Diamond Plate is 1/8" All Bright shine
-Engine is a BBF 468 ci. 2x4 Tunnel Ram with 2 Holly 770 avengers, Heads have been ported and polished. All high end components were used on this motor.
-Motor has been dyno #'s are 525HP and over 600 FPT
-Trany is a custom built C-6, with a Hughes shift kit with a Premium race kit Installed # HP 4289k
-Transfer case is a BW 1356 with all new parts with a upgraded pump kit.
-Rear Axle is a. Ford 10:25 4:10 gears. New spicer trac lok with 35 spline axles. Upgraded 1 ton 3 1/4 " x 12" brakes
-Front axle is high pinion dana 44 4:09 gears with all new bearings & seales with a Spicer true trac, 1 ton 12" Rotors, and warn locking hubs
-Heims Are 3/4" F&K and Aurora
-Brackets are laser cut by blue Torch and Poly Performance ( top of the line companys.)
-Driveshaft in the rear is a 3 1/2 tube with solid & HP 1330 Spicer U joints.
-Front Shaft is a 3" tube, with a upgraded Cv 1330 HP Spicer U joints
-Shocks are Walker Evens series 700 14" coil overs
-Springs are 2 1/2" from Suspension spring co 450LB front & 400LB rear
-Seats were custom made by PRP out of ca.
-Seat belts are 5 point and 4 limited strap's by DJ Safety Co.
-Wheels are 15x14 Black Allied Bead Locks
-Tires are Interco Super Swampers 17/47/15
-Suspension is 4 link Front and rear
-Dual Howe Master Cylinder with ss shields and brake pedal
-Crown All red braided SS brake Lines and fittings
-Steering is Hyd. orbital with power steering pump
-Radiator by Walker with 16" HP Spal Fan
-Fuel Cell is a 20 gal RCI all alum.
-Fuel pump, Filter, and Reg. are by SX Performance co.
-Winches Rear, 8000lb Smitty Built and the Front is 8000lb Black Mountain.
-Batteries 2
-Steering Wheel is a gt. Grant
-Lights are 55 watts, and 100 Watts, all the way around
-Dash panel and winch panel by12 volt guy
-Gauges are Marine grade Isspro ev. series
-Air compressor is a Kilby
-Air tank 2.5 gal by Kilby
-Fitting are AN #6 & #8 all Alum. By Fagonia
-All Bolts used were grade 8
-Hyd. Lines where custom made by Pirtex Co. Mn. 5000 psi
-All Fluids are syn. By Royal Purple inc.
-All steel tubing has been powder coated
-2 Custom billet oval 5" K&N air filters
-Shifter is a Pro Shift by Art carr.
-Headers by Schoenfeld Co.
-Ing. Dist, Coil, and Box. MSD